80,061
Open Crown Court cases at the end of March 2026.
Use This Hub to Check the Evidence
This rebuilt page combines the newer Right First Time UK transparency layout with the detailed material from the original site. The original information, evidence routes and source links are kept below rather than being replaced.
1. Read the information
Use the restored sections below for the detailed subject guide and background.
2. Open the evidence
Source, evidence and information links are shown as clear buttons so you can check the underlying material.
3. Check current status
Where a subject changes over time, use the linked official source for the latest published position.
Information & Evidence Shortcuts
Quick access to source links already included in the original RFTUK page.
Full RFTUK Information & Evidence
Right First Time UK • Justice • Evidence • Transparency • Accountability
Latest justice-system picture
The most recent published Ministry of Justice figures show intense pressure across the criminal courts. Use the live publication links for revisions and newer releases.
Live justice data: court, tribunal, prison, probation, legal-aid, sentencing and reoffending publications.
Open publication calendar
196 days
Median age of an open Crown Court case at the end of March 2026.
376,339
Cases received during October to December 2025.
4,160
Public-law cases started between January and March 2026.
Live
Current Justice Committee inquiries into courts, legal aid, prisons, probation and prosecution.
Quarterly
Regular criminal, civil, family, tribunal, prison and reoffending statistics.
Criminal court statisticsCrown Court and magistrates’ court volumes, backlogs and timeliness.
Criminal justice statisticsProsecutions, convictions, sentencing and outcomes.
Family court statisticsChildren, divorce, domestic violence and public-law cases.
Justice DataOfficial dashboards, statistics and publication schedules.
The UK has three separate legal systems
Justice is not administered by one single UK court system. Always check which nation and jurisdiction applies.
England and Wales
Ministry of Justice, HMCTS, CPS, HMPPS, Legal Aid Agency and the judiciary of England and Wales.
Ministry of JusticeScotland
Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scottish Prison Service and Scottish Legal Aid Board.
Scottish courtsNorthern Ireland
Department of Justice NI, Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service, Public Prosecution Service and Prison Service.
Department of Justice NIWho runs the justice system?
🏛️
Ministry of Justice
Government policy, spending and oversight for courts, prisons, probation, legal aid and constitutional matters.
Open Ministry⚖️
HM Courts & Tribunals Service
Administers criminal, civil, family and tribunal services in England and Wales.
Open HMCTS📑
Crown Prosecution Service
Independent prosecution service for criminal cases investigated by police and other bodies.
Open CPS🔒
HM Prison & Probation Service
Carries out court sentences in custody and the community and supports rehabilitation.
Open HMPPS🧑⚖️
Judiciary
Information about judges, courts, judgments, guidance and judicial conduct.
Open Judiciary💷
Legal Aid Agency
Administers civil and criminal legal aid in England and Wales.
Open LAACourts, tribunals and case information
Find a court or tribunalAddresses, opening times, facilities and contact information.
Court process guidanceCriminal, civil, family and tribunal information.
Court and tribunal hearingsSearch published hearing lists where available.
JudgmentsPublished decisions from courts and tribunals.
BAILII case lawFree legal judgments and tribunal decisions.
Find Case LawOfficial National Archives judgments service.
Appeal a criminal decisionOfficial guidance on appeal routes and deadlines.
Request a court transcriptForms, fees and court approval requirements.
Court files are not automatically public in full. Access depends on the type of case, procedural rules,
reporting restrictions, privacy rights and judicial decisions.
Prisons, probation and rehabilitation
Prison information
Find prisons, inspection reports, performance ratings, population figures and contact information.
Probation Service
Sentence management, court reports, community payback, rehabilitation programmes and victim information.
Prison population and safety
Official statistics on population, capacity, deaths, self-harm, assaults and releases.
Prison statisticsReoffending
Quarterly and annual statistics on proven reoffending by cohort, offence and sentence.
Reoffending statisticsLegal aid, lawyers and access to justice
Check legal-aid eligibilityOfficial eligibility checker for civil legal aid.
Find a legal-aid adviserSearch by issue and location.
Find a solicitorLaw Society directory for England and Wales.
Check a barristerBar Standards Board register and disciplinary information.
Check a solicitor or firmSRA register, conditions and regulatory decisions.
Access to Justice inquiryJustice Committee evidence and reports on legal services and legal aid.
Victims, witnesses and defendants
Victims’ Code
Rights to information, support, updates, special measures and review.
Read the CodeVictim support
Independent support after crime, whether or not it has been reported.
Victim SupportWitness information
What to expect before, during and after giving evidence.
Going to courtCPS Victims’ Right to Review
Request review of certain CPS decisions not to prosecute or to end proceedings.
Review schemeDefendant guidance
Legal representation, pleas, bail, court process and sentencing information.
Charged with a crimeSentencing information
Guidelines, explanations and public information about sentencing decisions.
Sentencing CouncilIndependent inspection and parliamentary scrutiny
Justice CommitteeExamines Ministry of Justice policy, spending, courts, legal aid, prisons and probation.
Latest Justice Committee evidenceReports, correspondence, oral evidence and government responses.
Police and fire inspectoratePolice effectiveness and criminal-justice system inspections.
CPS InspectorateIndependent inspections of prosecution services.
Prisons InspectorateIndependent inspections of prisons, custody and detention.
Probation InspectorateInspections of probation and youth offending services.
National Audit OfficeValue-for-money reports on courts, prisons and Ministry of Justice spending.
Search HansardCommons and Lords debates on justice issues.
Complaints and accountability routes
HMCTS complaints
Complaints about court or tribunal administration, service and staff conduct.
HMCTS complaintsCPS complaints
Complaints about prosecution service, decisions, communication or handling.
CPS complaintsPrison and Probation Ombudsman
Independent investigation of complaints and deaths in custody.
Open PPOJudicial conduct
Complaints about a judge’s personal conduct, not disagreement with a judicial decision.
JCIO complaintLegal Ombudsman
Complaints about poor service from solicitors and other regulated legal providers.
Legal OmbudsmanParliamentary Ombudsman
Complaints about government departments after completing their complaint process.
PHSOComplaint or appeal?
A complaint normally concerns service, administration, delay or conduct. An appeal or application to set aside concerns the legal decision itself. Complaining does not usually extend an appeal deadline.
Can a judicial complaint change a court order?
No. The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office considers personal conduct. A judgment or order generally must be challenged through the court’s appeal, review or setting-aside procedures.
Use the hub to demand measurable justice
- Check published court backlogs, waiting times, prison safety and reoffending figures.
- Compare government claims with inspectorate, National Audit Office and parliamentary evidence.
- Use the correct appeal, complaint, ombudsman or information-rights route.
- Ask MPs for specific figures, deadlines, funding decisions and progress reports.
- Protect privacy and comply with reporting restrictions when discussing live cases.
Editorial and legal-safety standard
Right First Time UK supports open justice, accurate reporting, fair trials, victim support, rehabilitation
and accountability. Do not publish protected identities, private family-court material, juror information,
prejudicial allegations or content prohibited by a reporting restriction or court order.